Thrashing machine



June 15 1926. 1,588,637

0. E. WHITE THRASHING MACHINE Original Filed p 10, 1918 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 15 1926.

C. E. WHITE THRASHING MACHINE 10, 1918 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Sept.

mllllll f Willi"?! mmmnmmmlummlI June 15 1926.

- c. E. WHITE THRASHING MACHINE Original Filed Sept.

5 Sheets-Shegt 3 1 W 9 4 E J/ l 6 \W 3 June 15 1926.

C}. E. WHITE 'I'HRASHING mAcHniE Original Filed p 1 1918 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 C. E. WHITE THRASHING MACHINE June 15 1926.

Original Filedsept- 1 1918 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 InwfenToT Patented June 15, 1926.

CHARLES E. WHITE, or MOLINE, rumors, ASSIGNOR To DEERE. &,COM1 .ANY, or MOLINE, rumors, aoonronarron ornmnvors.

'rnrmsrnivs MAC INE.

Application filed September 10, 1918, Serial No. 253,395. Renewed November 13, 1925.

My invention relates to'machines for dling small grain such as wheat, oats, etc and has primarily for its object to provide a power-propelled machine which will take up bundles of grain from the ground as it moves along, and which will be provided with mechanism for severing the heads from the stalks, separating the grain from theheadS,

and delivering it to a wagon or other receptacle, and withmeans for discharging the straw. Other objects are to provide mecha nism for driving the several operating parts of the machine from the motor which propels the machine, and to provide for steering a machine of this character either by hand or by power-operated mechanisnr driven from the propelling motor. I accomplish these objects as illustrated in the drawings and as hereinafter described. W hat I regard as new is set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. l is a plan view of my improved machine, showing a wagon hitched behind it to receive the separated grain i Fig. 2 is a side elevation'thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail, being a trans-- verse vertical section on-line 33 of some parts being broken away;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan View of certain parts of the machine, some parts being broken away;

Fig.5 is'an enlarged partial longitudinal section on line 55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical section on line 66 of Fig. 3; i i

p Fig; 7 is an enlarged longitudinal section on line 77 of F ig.'1,showing the fan and its housing and connections; and

Fig. 8 is a detail, being a partial longitudinal section on line 88 of Fig. 2.

My improved machine comprises a main frame mounted on traction wheels at the rear and dirigible wheels at the front, the trac- 7 tion wheels being driven from a suitable motor, such as an internal combustion engine, mounted on the main frame and con nected with the traction wheels by means of suitable differential gearing and jackshafts having pinions whiclrmesh with gears on the traction wheels. The dirigible front wheels are arranged'to be steered either-by a hand operated steering wheel or-by power operated means driven by the "propelling motor. The same motor also drivesfa transverse shaft from which power is transmitted to operate other parts of the mechanism with which the machine is equipped. Allthese features are not separa-tely claimed herein, as they are fully shown and described inniy pending application, SerialNo. 231,432, filed April 29, 1918, to whichreference is made for the details of the construction andoperation of the parts referred to, as it is deemed unnecessary to specifically illustrate and describe them in'this application. Such parts are, however, indicated generally in the steering wheel is'mou nted, 21 the power o perated steering mechanlsm, 22 the steering rod connected therewith, 23 the transverse power shaft mounted on the main frame, and 24 a transverse bar at the front of the main frame for attachment thereto of other parts of the machine. It will lee-understood that in addition to the partsillustrated the, ma-

chine will be provided with change speed gears, levers, and other mechanism for controlling the operation of the machine, as

shown'and described in my saidpending ap-,'

plication. I 1

Coming now to the features which more particularly characterize the machine of this application, 25 indicates a transversely dis-p posed bundle carrying frame which is secured to the crossbar 24 in advance of themain frame 9 by hangers 26 27,v hinged together at 28, as shown in Fig. 2, so that said transverse frame may be swung up out of operative position when not ,in use. The

left hand side of said frame as viewed in Fig. 1 is of slatted or open-work construc- 3031 indicate tion, and the right'hand side 'thereof is" rake teeth may be of any suitable construction adapted to ride over the ground to pick up bundles of grain 35. By this canstruction, as the machine advances, the bundles of grain will be picked up by the rake and 'w-i-llpass back to the frame withi-n easy reach, of an operator standing on the platform 29. As the bundles of grain are deposited in rows along the field by the harvester, my improved machine may be propelled across the field, picking up the bundles as it goes along, until the end of the row is reached when the machine may be turned to travel back along the next rowfby turning the d-irigible front wheels either by hand or by power, the caster wheels 3-1-, which support the rake frame 25 and rake 84, turning automatically to iconform to the turn ng movement. Ordinarily the hand steering mechanism is employed to guide the machine as it traverses the field, and the power operated steering mechanism is used in turning the machine at the ends of the rows.

36 indicates a hopper mounted on the main frame 9 back of the inner portion of the frame 25, as shown in Fig. 1. This hopper is of suitable size and shape to receive a bundleof grain disposed transverselyof the machine, and extending longitudinally in the bottom thereof is a beater drum 37 having teeth 38 as usual. Said drum is divided transversely into sections mounted upon a shaft 39 which extends transversely of the machine. Between the sectionsof the Ibeater drum, said shaft carries circular saws '40 41 of somewhat greater diameter than the drum, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5. The saw 41 serves thepntpose of severing the heads from the stalks, while the saw cuts the straw into shorter sections. The heater drum serves the purpose of breaking up the straw to facilitate its discharge from the machine in the manner hereinafter described.

42 indicates an auxiliary hopper arranged opposite the inner end of the hopper 36 to receive the severed heads of the grain when they are cut off by the-saw 41, said auxiliary hopper being best shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5.

The latter hopper discharges into a cylindrical separator chamber 43, formed *by housing members 44 45, which chamber is arranged back 'of the hopper 42 and contains a beater drum 46 having teeth '47 which 00-. act with the fingers 48 of a concave having gratings '49 through which the'sepa ra'ted grain may pass into a conveyer duct 50, as shown in Fig. 5. This duct is secured at the under side of the housing member and extends back and up to a discharge tube 51 which is adapted to deliver the separated grain to a wagon 52, attached to the rear of the main frame 9, as shown in Fig. 2. 53 indicates an exhaust tube or fine for the chaff which communicates with the rear portion of the chamber 43, as shown in Fig. 5, and

"extends back over the conveyer duct to pathof the chaff and act as flails to break up the mass of chaff to .permit any grain carried thereby to separate and pass out through the gratings 57 into the conveyerduct. The position of the fingers 59 may be adjusted by rocking the shafts '58, for which purpose said shafts are provided with cranks 60 at their outer ends, as shown in Fig. 2. A series of stops "61 isa-lso providedfor setting the cranks "60 in different positions of adjustment, as shown i-n-said figure.

The grain which falls {into the conveyer duct 50 is carried uip to the discharge tube 51 by means of an end-less conveyer 62 having transverse slats 63, as shown" in Fig. 5. Said conveyer is mounted upon sprocket wheels 64-65, carried by transverse shafts 66-437, arrangedto rota te so that the lower portion of the conveyer travels upward. as indicated bythe arrow in Fig. '5. v

The *several parts of the mechanism abovedescribed are driven from the transverse shaft 23 by the following mechanism: 68 in dicates a belt which driven by a pulley 69 mounted on one end ofthe shaft 23, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, which belt drives a pulley 7 O, mounted on a transverse shaft 71 which carries the fan 56, as shown in F igs. 2 and 3. The conveyer 62 is driven from "the shaft 71 by means of a worm 72 carried by said shaft, which meshes with-a worm wheel 73 mounted on a shaft 74 which extends longitudinally of the conveyer duct 50, as shown-in Figs. 2 and 8. At its upper end, the shaft 74 carries a beveled pinion 75, which meshes with a beveled gear 76, carried by the shaft 66, asshown in Fig. 8. Thus, when the "shaft 71 is rotated, theconveye'r 62 is driven in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5. The heater drum 46 is mounted onand keyed to the shaft 71, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, and consequently rotates therewith. The shaft 39, which carries the beater drum 37 and saws40'4l, is driven from theshaft 71 I by means of a gear 77 mounted on the inner end .portion of. the shaft 71, as shown in too Fig. 3, and meshes with a pinion 78 mounted on the inner end of the shaft 39, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 5.- The shaft 39, therefore, rotates in a direction opposite to that of the shaft 71. i

In order to sever the twine or wire by which the bundles of grain are bound, I provide a rotating knife 7 9, preferably two bladed, which is mounted upon the upper end of a shaft 80 arranged back of the hopper, 36 in such position that the blades of the knife rotate in a plane which extends longitudinally of the hopper, the knife blades projecting through a longitudinal slot 81 in the back of the hopper, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The shaft 80 is driven from the shaft 71 by means of a beveled gear 82, mounted on the lower end of said shaft, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, and meshing with a beveled pinion 83 at the inner end of the shaft 71. Thus, the knife 79 is constantly rotated when the machine is in operation,

Stindicates a discharge flue leading from the fan housing 55 and extending longitudinally of the lower portion of the hopper 36, as shown in Fig. 3, with which it communicates laterally at a point below the level of the axis of the beater drum 37, as best shown in Fig. 6. The flue 8 1 is provided with a discharge nozzle 85, as shown in Fig. 3, through which the broken-up straw which passes into said flue from the hopper 36, is blown out at one side of the machine. 86 indicates the drivers seat which, as shown in Fig. 2, is mounted on the main frame 9 conveniently with reference to the steering wheel 19.

The operation of the machine will, no doubt, be readily understood from the fore going description, but for convenience it nny be recapitulated as follows: The ma chine is driven across the field and guided by the driver by means of the hand wheel 19 so as to pick up the bundles of grain as it goes along. Meanwhile, another operator, standing on the platform 29, tosses the bundles into the hopper 36 with the heads toward the inside end thereof. The binding twine is immediately severad by the knife 79 and the stalks are cut transversely by the saws 4-0l1 into two or more pieces, de pending upon the number of saws provided. The heads then drop through the auxiliary hopper 42 into the separator chamber 43 while thestraw is broken up by the beater hen the machine is in operation, the rotation of the fan 56 creates suction in the tube through flue 54, and consequently the chaff liberated by the action of the beater cylinder 46 is drawn out through said tube and returned through flue 54 to the discharge fine 8 whereit passes out together with the straw through nozzle 85. The greater part of the grain separated by the action of the beater cylinder 46 passes out through the gratings 49 into the conveyer duct 50, in which it is carried up by the endless conveyer therein to the spout 51, through which it is delivered to the bed of the wagon 52. Any grain that may pass up through the tube 53 with. thechaff is ultimately separatedtherefrom, not only by the action'of the fingers 59 which-break up any masses of chaff that may be formed, but also by reason of the: shape of said tube,

which prevents the too rapid passage of the chaff through it, and provides numberof valieys or depressions calculated to gather the freed grains and permit them to pass to the conveyer duct through the gratings 57. Just before the machine reaches'the end of the row, the power operated steering mechanism is brought into operation, sothat the machine turns about a'predetermined' radius and travels back in the opposite direction.

It should understood that While I have described in detail the specific embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings, the claims hereinafter made are not to be restricted to such specific construction as many of the features are generically new and the claims thereto are to be construed accordingly.

"that I claim as my invention, and de sire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A thrashing machine comprising means for severing the heads of the grain from the straw, thrashing mechanism, means for delivering the heads to said thrashing mechanism, means for discharging the. straw, and suction mechanism operating to deliver the chaff to the straw.

. 2. A thrashing machine comprising j a, hopper adapted to receive bundles of grain, means operating in said hopperto sever the heads from the straw, thrashing mechanism arranged to rece ve'the severed heads and operating to separate the grain from the chaff, means associated with said hopper for discharging the straw, a conveyor for the separated grain, and a fine for the chaff extending over said grain conveyor and communicating at intervalstherewith.

3. A thrashing machine comprising a.

tion with a frame having traction and steering Wheels, and a motor carried by said frame, of thrashing mechanism carried by said frame, mechanism operated by said motor for driving said thrashing mechanism and propelling the machine, means connected With said frame and extending forward therefrom for carrying bundles of grain, and means operated by said motor for steering the machine.

5. In a thrashing machine, the combination with a frame having traction and steering wheels, and a motor carried by said frame, of thrashing mechanism carried by said frame, mechanism operated by said motor for dri'ving'said thrashing mechanism and propelling the machine, racking means connected With said frame and extending forward therefrom for taking up bundles of grain from the ground, and means operated by said motor for steering the machine.

6. A thrashin machine com risinp' a hopper adjacent to said bundle-carrying means, means operating in said hopper for severing the stalks of grain transversely, means for driving said severing mechanism from said motor, thrashing mechanism carried by said frame and means for deiivering the heads of the grain to said thrashing mechanism.

7. A thrashin machine comprisin b .1. '1

main frame, a motor carried thereby, traction means operated by said motor for propelling the machine, means connected with said frame "for carrying bundies of gram, thrashing mechanism carried by said frame, a hopper adjacent to said bundlecarrying means and -communicating with said thrashing mechanism, means driven by said motor for severing the heads of the grain in said hopper and means for delivering the heads of the grain to said thrashing mechanism.

8. A thrashing machine comprising main frame, a motor carried thereby, traction means operated by said motor for pro pelling the machine, means connected With said frame for carrying bundles of grain, thrashing mechanism carried by said frame, a hopper adjacent to said bundlecarrying means and communicating With said thrashing mechanism, means driven by said motor for severing the heads of the grain in said hopper, means for delivering the heads to said thrashing mechanism, and means for driving said thrashing mechanism from said motor.

9. A thrashing machine comprising a main frame, a motor carried thereby, traction means operated by said motor for propelling the machine, bundle-carrying means connected With said frame, thrashing mechanism carried by said frame, a hopper comp'elling the machine, bundle-carrying means connected With said frame, thrashing mechanism mounted on said frame, a ho-ppercoihmunicating With said thrashing mechanism, aibeater cylinder below said hopper, means for severing the heads of the grain in said hopper from the stalks, means for delivering the heads to the thrashing mechanism, and means for driving the several operatin parts mentioned from said motor.

11. A thrashing machine comprising a main frame, a motor carried thereby, traction means operated by said motor for propelling the machine, bundle-carrying means connected with said frame, thrashing mechanism mounted on said frame, a hopper communicating With said thrashing mechanism, means for severing the heads of the grain in said hopper from the stalks, means for delivering the heads to said thrashing mechanism and means operated by said motor for discharging the straw from said hopper.

12. In a thrashing machine, the conibination with a main frame, a motor carried thereby, traction means operated by said motor for propelling the machine, and bundie-carrying means connected With said frame, of thrashing mechanism mounted on said frame, said thrashing mechanism comprising a duct for receiving and conveying the separated grain, a flue for receiving the chafi', and a fan for applying suction to said flue, and means for driving said thrashing mechanism from the said motor. 7 V

13. In a thrashing machine, the combination with a main frame and thrashing mechanism mounted on said frame, said "thrashing mechanism comprising a duct for receiving and conveying the separated grain, of a flue extending over said ductand having valleys communicating with said duct, and

means for causing ch-aff to flow through said flue.

14:. In a thrashing machine, the combination with a main frame and thrashing mechanism mounted on said frame, said thrashing mechanism comprising a duct for receiving and conveying the separated grain, of a fine extending over sald duct and having valleys communicating With said duct, and a fan for applying'suction to said flue to cause v mechanism comprising a duct for receiving and conveying the separated grain, of a zigzag flue extending over said duct, the valleys of said flue communicating with said duct, and means for causing chaff to flow through said flue.

16. In a thrashing machine, the combination with a main frame and thrashing mechanism mounted on said frame, said thrashing mechanism comprising a duct for receiving and conveying the separated grain, of 'a zigzag flue extending over said duct, the valleys of said flue communicating with said duct, and a fan for applying suction to said flue to cause chaff to flow therethrough.

17 In a thrashing machine, the combination with a main frame, a motor carried thereby, traction means operated by said motor for propelling the machine, and bundle-carrying means connected with said frame, of thrashing mechanism mounted on said frame, said thrashing mechanism comprising a duct for receiving and conveying the separated grain, a zigzag flue for receiving the chaff, and a fan for applyingsuction to said fine, and means for driving said thrashing mechanism from said motor.

18. In a thrashing machine, the combination with a main frame, a motor carried thereby, traction means operated by said motor for propelling the machine, bundlecarrying means connected with said frame, a hopper adapted to receive a bundle of grain, and means for severing the heads of the grain in said hopper from the stalks, of thrashing mechanism mounted on said frame and communicating withsaid hopper, said thrashing mechanism comprising means for separating the grain from the chaff, a duct for receiving and conveying the separated grain, a flue for the chaff, a fan connected with said flue for creating suction therein, and a discharge flue connected with said hopper and with said first mentioned flue for discharging the chaff and straw, and means for driving said thrashing mechanism from motor for propelling the machine, bundlecarrying means connected with said frame, a

hopper adaptedto receive a bundle of grain, means for severing the heads of the grain in said hopper from the stalks, and means below said hopper for breaking up the straw, of thrashing mechanism mounted on said frame and communicating with said hopper, said thrashing mechanism comprising means for separating the grain from the chaff, a duct for receiving and conveying the separated grain, a flue for the chaff, a fan connected with said flue for creating suction therein, and a discharge 1 flue connected withsaid hopper and with said first mentioned fine for discharging the chaff and straw, and means for driving said thrashing mechanism from said motor, a q

20. In a thrashing machine, the combination with means for separating grain from the chaif and means for delivering'heads of grain thereto, of a duct for receiving and conveying the grain, a zigzag shaped flue for the chaff extending over said'duct, gratings at the valleys of said flue communicating'with said duct andmeans for causing the chaff to flow through said flue. I 21. In a thrashing machine, the combination with means for separating grain from the chaff, and means for delivering heads of grain thereto of a duct for receiving and conveying the grain, a zigzag shaped flue for the chaff extending over said duct, gratings at the valleys of said flue communicating with said duct, means in the elevated portions of said flue for breaking up masses of chaff, and means for causing the chaff to flow through said flue.

CHARLES E. WHITE; 

